Our skin is a very personal thing. It’s our canvas that the rest of the world sees and judges. It gives people an idea of how old we are. More importantly, it’s our largest organ that works every day to protect the rest of our body.
Investing in skin care isn’t a matter of vanity. If your skin doesn’t look good it can kill your confidence. This can have serious repercussions in your personal and professional life.
The thing is the global cosmetics industry is a valued at more than $532.43 billion and projected to grow much larger. That includes a lot of skin care products. Trying to choose the ones that will work best is overwhelming. Use the tips below to get a better handle on the products that will work best for you.
Understand How Product Efficacy Ratings Are Developed
Many consumers today base their buying decisions on product ratings. But do you know how those efficacy ratings are developed? Knowing where they come from can help you decide which products to purchase.
When it comes to beauty industry research it can be conducted by a third party or in-house. The research will look at actual results from using the product for a period of time as well as personal feedback and perspectives from testers. The test results are where the ratings come from.
How much credence you can give efficacy ratings depends largely on how the results were gathered. Third party testing companies offer an unbiased opinion compared to tests done in-house. It’s also good to know what types of tests were done to arrive at the results.
Know Your Skin Care Type
One thing you definitely need to know before buying products is what type of skin you have. Some types are more prone to certain conditions and react differently to various ingredients. That’s why you want to know yours before deciding which products will work best.
There are five primary types of skin:
- Oily – Tends to produce excess oil and appear shiny.
- Dry – When it’s dry it has a dull, rough appearance and can feel taut.
- Combination – Combination skin is oily in some spots and dry in other places. Typically, the forehead nose and chin (T-zone) is oily while the cheeks and around the eyes are dry.
- Normal – Despite the name, few people have “normal” skin that is perfectly balanced naturally. For most people, achieving normalacy requires using the right products.
- Sensitive – Sensitive is just like it sounds. It reacts more strongly to chemicals, is more easily burned, etc.
Most people have combination skin that either leans towards oily or dry. If this is the case you may need to use a combination of products to achieve a balanced look.
Identify Your Skin Problems
Once you’ve determined your skin type it’s time to take a closer look. What problems do you have? Are they sporadic or constant issues? Have you noticed that problems only occur after using a certain product or ingredient?
Taking the time to note problems, when they occur, how long they last and what helps will allow you to zero in on the skin care products that will work best. Keeping a journal for a few weeks can help you keep track of issues.
See a Dermatologist
If you have recurring acne that doesn’t respond well to your cleansing routine or another skin problem that doesn’t get better it’s time to see a dermatologist. These specialists are able to do a thorough analysis to figure out what the problem is and the underlying cause. A dermatologist also has the ability to prescribe treatments that aren’t available over the counter. Your dermatologist can also make suggestions for things you can get at the drugstore or a retail shop.
In many cases, insurance will cover the cost of seeing a dermatologist, but be prepared to pay a copay for the visit and any prescriptions.
Skin care products are an investment. They can provide amazing value that helps you perfect your complexion, or they can be a total waste of money. Take the time to do your research and know what will work best.
